Valdese Elementary YMCA Childcare
A child care center in Valdese, North Carolina 28690
298 Praley St, Valdese, North Carolina 28690. (828) 578-6992.
Watch and the shortlist are kept with a free account, on every device. Your watch list. North Carolina’s own record is on ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov.
The short answer
- 35 violations in the last three years
- Jun 102026 the latest visit on record
- 100 children, its licensed capacity
Each figure’s source sits beside it, in its section below.
What these words mean5
- Inspection (survey)
- A visit by state inspectors, often unannounced, who check a place against the rules it must meet. For nursing homes and other places Medicare pays, CMS calls these visits surveys: a standard survey of a nursing home comes at least every 15 months, and a complaint survey whenever a complaint calls for one. Source: CMS; 42 CFR 488.308.
- Deficiency, citation, violation
- What inspectors write up when a place didn’t meet a rule: the rule, what they saw, and when. CMS calls it a deficiency; states may say citation or violation. It is the inspectors’ finding, not a court’s, and the place is usually asked for a plan to correct it. Source: CMS, statement of deficiencies (Form CMS-2567); each state’s licensing agency.
- Quality rating
- Many states rate child care in a quality rating system that goes past the licensing rules, such as Texas Rising Star or Kentucky All STARS. Taking part is often voluntary, so a program with no rating hasn’t been rated low. Source: Each state’s quality rating system.
- Licence status
- Whether the state’s licence lets the place operate now, in the state’s own words: licensed, on probation (allowed to keep operating on conditions, after problems), provisional, pending or expired. Source: Each state’s licensing agency.
- Capacity
- The most people the licence or certification lets the place care for at once: residents, children, beds or apartments, as the state counts them. It isn’t how many are there now. Source: Each state’s licensing agency.
What did inspectors find?
8 DCDEE visits in the last three years, the latest on Jun 10, 2026.
35 violations cited in the last three years, 35 of them marked corrected.
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE), Child Care Facility Search (ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov): licences, DCDEE visits and violations. Checked Oct 21, 2026. Updated daily.
When those violations happened
35 violations in 6 months of the last 36. Last cited May 2026. The last 3 years, to Nov 3, 2026.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Dec | |||||||||||
| 2024 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| 2025 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| 2026 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov |
Hover or focus a month to read it.
Hearth Record drew this from the dates and levels in the source’s own records.
Each violation, in its source’s words
Grouped by visit, newest first, with the level its source gave it.
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE), Child Care Facility Search (ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov): licences, DCDEE visits and violations. Checked Oct 21, 2026. Updated daily.
May 7, 2026: unannounced10 violations
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A summary of the NC Child Care Law was not given to a parent of every child enrolled in the center.
“The NC Summary of the Law parental acknowledgement was not signed by the parent for one child enrolled on January 6, 2026.”
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Application was not signed by the parent.
“The application for enrollment was not signed by the parent for one child enrolled on January 6, 2026.”
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Authorization for emergency medical care information was not signed by child’s parent.
“Authorization for emergency medical care was not signed by the parent for one child enrolled on January 6, 2026.”
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Fire drills were not practiced monthly and/or the drill record was incomplete.
“The most recent monthly fire drill recorded on the Emergency Drill Log was completed on February 25, 2026.”
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Incident logs were not completed and maintained as required.
“An incident report for a child’s injury that occurred on April 6, 2026, was not recorded on the incident log.”
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Operational policies were not discussed with parents on or before the child’s first day and/or they were not notified in writing of all changes.
“Two children’s files did not contain signed parental acknowledgement for the facilities operational policies. The acknowledgement form was not available on site for review.”
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Parent participation plan was not discussed with parents on or before the child’s first day of attendance and/or a copy was not given to them or posted in the center.
“Two children’s files did not contain signed parental acknowledgement for the facilities parent participation plan. The acknowledgement form was not available on site for review.”
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Parent’s statement includes the child’s name and date of enrollment and the date the parent signed the statement.
“The discipline policy acknowledgement form signed by the parent did not include the enrollment date for two children enrolled on December 29, 2025, and January 6, 2026.”
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Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete.
“The most recent shelter-in-place or lockdown drill recorded on the Emergency Drill Log was completed on January 21, 2026.”
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Staff working in part-time, full-day or track out school age care programs required to complete BSAC training, did not complete it within three months of employment.
“One group leader, L. Walton, employed on December 1, 2025, stated Basic School-Age Care (BSAC) training was completed on April 30, 2026, however, the BSAC training certificate for this staff member was not on file available for review.”
Nov 6, 2025: unannounced8 violations
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A child care operator did not notify the Division of any new child care providers, as defined in G.S.
“110-90.2(a)(2), who were hired or moved into the child care facility within five business days. Two staff members, K. Cuthbertson and Z. Dixon, were not added to the ABCMS Provider Portal roster for this facility.”
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All staff records, except financial records, were not made available for review.
“Staff members present were not able to access staff records kept on the computer to make them available for review.”
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Daily records of arrival and departure times for children at the center were not maintained as children arrive and depart and/or were not made available for review.
“Two children were not signed out on October 17, 2025.”
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Enhanced staff/child ratios and group sizes were not met.
The inspectors’ words, 142 words
“As children began arriving to classroom #105 at approximately 2:37pm, twenty-one (21) school age children were observed with one staff member. The youngest child present was five (5) years of age. At 2:43pm, a total of twenty-nine (29) school age children, five (5) to ten (10) years of age, were present with one staff member in classroom #105. At 2:50pm, a second staff member arrived in classroom #105. At 3:05pm, after the children were divided into two groups, one group was observed in the gym with sixteen (16) children five (5) to eight (8) years of age with one staff member. At 3:21pm, the two groups were combined in the cafeteria for snack, and one staff member took a child to the bathroom down the hall leaving one staff member with twenty-eight (28) children five (5) to ten (10) years of age.”
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Fire drills were not practiced monthly and/or the drill record was incomplete.
“The most recent monthly fire drill was documented on the Emergency Drill Log as conducted on August 25, 2025. A fire drill was not documented for September 2025 or October 2025.”
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Incident logs were not completed and maintained as required.
“Incident reports for injuries that occurred on September 12, 2025, October 3, 2025, October 6, 2025, and October 29, 2025, were not recorded on the incident log.”
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Rule violated (DCDEE’s description below)
“Program coordinator was not on site in a program offering before and after school care only. A staff member who meets the requirements of a program coordinator was not on site.”
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The person identified as the person or alternate person responsible for carrying out the emergency medical care plan was not on the premises at all times and/or did not accompany children for off premise activities.
“The two staff members present on November 6, 2025, were not listed on the facilities Emergency Medical Care Plan.”
Jun 12, 2025: unannounced3 violations
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Incident reports were not completed each time a child was injured, it did not include all the information required in rule, it was not signed by the parent and/or it was not maintained in the child’s file.
“An incident report dated 6/10/2025 for one child enrolled on 6/9/2025 did not include the time the parent was notified of the incident.”
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Special diet or food allergy information was not posted where they can be seen in food preparation and eating areas.
“The allergy/special diet for one child enrolled on 6/9/2025 was not posted in the cafeteria.”
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Within the first two weeks of assuming responsibilty for supervising a group of children, staff did not complete at least 6 hours of training on topics outlined in this rule.
“One group leader, A. Sigmon, employed on May 28, 2025, did not receive 6 hours of orientation within the first two weeks of employment.”
Mar 6, 2025: unannounced5 violations
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A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility.
“A current criminal background check qualification letter was not on file available for review for Sharon McSwain, employed on 7/8/2024. The qualification letter expired on 2/17/2025.”
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A violation was found for which there is no item number.
“Bookbags and coats belonging to twenty-five children present during the visit were observed on the floor in space #1 and personal belongings were in contact with other personal belongings. This is a violation of sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A .2820(f).”
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Prior to the expiration date of the qualification letter, the child care provider did not complete and submit required forms to complete a criminal background check (a qualification letter is valid for a maximum of five years for the date of issuance).
“The criminal background check for Sharon McSwain, employed on 7/8/2024, expired on 2/17/2025.”
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Staff did not complete the health and safety training within one year of employment.
“One staff member employed on 2/8/2024 did not complete the required health and safety training within one year of employment.”
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The medical action plan was not updated on an annual basis or when changes to the plan were made by the child’s parent or health care professional.
“A medical action plan for two different children expired on 8/28/2023.”
Jun 24, 2024: unannounced4 violations
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All vehicles used to transport children were not free of hazards.
“On bus number 8059, a ripped hole with exposed interior padding was observed on the seat in the fifth row on the passenger side.”
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Prescribed medicine was not in original labeled container or accompanied by signed and dated written instructions from prescribing physician or health care professional.
“One child’s epi-pen that expires in August 2024 did not include the pharmacy label.”
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Special diet or food allergy information was not posted where they can be seen in food preparation and eating areas.
“The special diet for one child enrolled on 6/17/2024 was not posted in the cafeteria.”
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Staff did not complete the health and safety training within one year of employment.
“One administrative staff employed on June 1, 2023, did not complete all required health and safety trainings within one year of employment.”
Jan 24, 2024: unannounced5 violations
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All staff did not successfully complete certification in CPR training appropriate to the age of the children in care.
“Verification of staff completion of the CPR course from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. One staff, L. Childers, employed on 8/7/2023, did not complete CPR training until 12/9/2023.”
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All staff did not successfully complete certification in First Aid appropriate to the age of children in care.
“Verification of staff completion of First Aid training from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. One staff, L. Childers, employed on 8/7/2023, did not complete First Aid training until 12/9/2023.”
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An incident report was not completed and mailed to a Division representative within seven days after the incident when medical treatment was required.
“The incident report for a child’s injury that occurred on November 1, 2023, resulting in medical treatment needed was not submitted to the consultant until December 11, 2023.”
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Daily records of arrival and departure times for children enrolled at the center were not maintained as children arrive and depart and/or were not made available for review.
“One child was not signed out on 1/5/2024, 1/8/2024, 1/12/2024, 1/15/2024, 1/19/2024.”
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Equipment and furnishings were not sturdy, stable and free of hazards.
“In space #1, two 2-inch and 3-inch cracks were observed in the plastic container used for the pretend play kitchen sink accessible to children.”
All 8 visits on record
| Date | Visit | What the record says |
|---|---|---|
| Jun 10, 2026 | Announced visit | No violations cited |
| May 7, 2026 | Unannounced visit | 10 violations cited |
| Nov 19, 2025 | Unannounced visit | No violations cited |
| Nov 6, 2025 | Unannounced visit | 8 violations cited |
| Jun 12, 2025 | Unannounced visit | 3 violations cited |
| Mar 6, 2025 | Unannounced visit | 5 violations cited |
| Jun 24, 2024 | Unannounced visit | 4 violations cited |
| Jan 24, 2024 | Unannounced visit | 5 violations cited |
Is it licensed?
- Child Care Center, holding a Four Star Center License since Nov 14, 2025.
- Licensed for 100 children, ages 5 through 12.
- Enrolled in North Carolina’s subsidized child care program.
- North Carolina’s licence number: 12000441.
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE), Child Care Facility Search (ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov): licences, DCDEE visits and violations. Checked Oct 21, 2026. Updated daily.
Has North Carolina acted against it?
- DCDEE says it has taken no action against this facility, for its current licence and location, in the last three years.
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE), Child Care Facility Search (ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov): licences, DCDEE visits and violations. Checked Oct 21, 2026. Updated daily.
Who does the caring?
- North Carolina’s page gives a staff-to-child ratio policy as the provider reports it, unverified by DCDEE, so it isn’t shown.
Who owns it?
- Owner, as North Carolina lists it: YMCA of Catawba Valley, Inc..
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE), Child Care Facility Search (ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov): licences, DCDEE visits and violations. Checked Oct 21, 2026. Updated daily.
How is it rated?
- Star Rated License: 4 stars of five.
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE), Child Care Facility Search (ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov): licences, DCDEE visits and violations. Checked Oct 21, 2026. Updated daily.
How does it compare nearby?
- Among 40 child care providers in Burke County, the middle value for violations cited in the last three years was 5.5; this one had 35.
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE), Child Care Facility Search (ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov): licences, DCDEE visits and violations. Checked Oct 21, 2026. Updated daily.
| Place | Violations cited in the last three years |
|---|---|
| First Baptist Church Child Development Center | 55 |
| Valdese Elementary School Pre-K | 3 |
| Valdese Elementary YMCA Childcare This child care provider | 35 |
| MiMi’s Kidz Child Care & Learning Center | 13 |
| Circle of Friends Child Care Center | 22 |
| Quaker Meadows Generations | 5 |
| Creative Beginnings, LLC | 6 |
| Giggles N’ Grins Child Care and Learning Center | 3 |
| Ray Childers Pre-K | 17 |
| Hildebran Pre-K | 5 |
| George Hildebrand Pre-K | 13 |
| Miss Sheila’s | 0 |
What the record doesn’t say
- North Carolina doesn’t show a visit summary tied to an open child maltreatment investigation while the case is active, and shows an administrative action only after its 30-day appeal period, without saying what it was.
- DCDEE’s descriptions of violations are shown in its own words; a description that names or may name a person isn’t shown. Visit summaries, the consultants’ full reports, aren’t read.
- North Carolina’s page lists the provider’s own features (transport, ratios) as furnished by the provider and unverified by DCDEE, so they aren’t shown.
Sources
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North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE), Child Care Facility Search (ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov): licences, DCDEE visits and violations.
Checked Oct 21, 2026. Updated daily. nc.gov terms: copying and distribution for non-commercial use, without alteration, citing the source. Shown free and never sold; DCDEE’s own words are quoted.
If you believe something here is wrong, a correction starts with the agency whose record this copies: North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE). North Carolina’s own record is on ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov. If Hearth Record copied something wrongly, it will fix it and log the correction publicly, with its date: how corrections work.
This copy of the record was made on Nov 3, 2026.
From the provider
The public record above comes first. Anything the provider adds will appear here, below it, and say who wrote it.
Replies
None. Replies aren’t open yet. When they open, the provider will be able to answer any finding for free, and the reply will show beside that finding, unedited and dated.
Paid listing
None. Paid listings aren’t open yet. When they open, anything paid for will say “Paid by the provider”, and paying will never change a finding, a rating or the order of results.